Astrophysics –
Science of the Universe
Only in the last century did scientists really begin to understand the physics of the universe. Putting eyes to telescopes and pencils to paper, 20th century observers and theorists were the first to grasp the vastness of space and glimpse the diversity of its contents.
Today’s scholars of the nighttime sky tell a story of a universe incomprehensibly huge. Once misjudged to be a fixed sphere of stars encircling the sun and planets, the cosmos is now a ballooning expanse of space populated by billions and billions of galaxies, each containing billions and billions of stars.
Astronomical explorers seek answers to several deep questions about the nature of space, the astrophysical objects it contains, and the universe’s composition, history and future.
The Kavli Prize in Astrophysics
The Kavli Prize in Astrophysics is awarded for outstanding achievement in advancing our knowledge and understanding of the origin, evolution and properties of the universe, including the fields of cosmology, astrophysics, astronomy, planetary science, solar physics, space science, astrobiology, astronomical and astrophysical instrumentation, and particle astrophysics.
2024
David Charbonneau
Sara Seager
For their ground-breaking work on the discovery and characterization of extra-solar planets and their atmospheres.
2022
Conny Aerts
Jørgen Christensen-Dalsgaard
Roger Ulrich
For their pioneering work and leadership in the development of helioseismology and asteroseismology.
2020
Andrew Fabian
For his groundbreaking research in the field of observational X-ray astronomy, covering a wide range of topics from gas flows in clusters of galaxies to supermassive black holes at the heart of galaxies.
2018
Ewine van Dishoeck
For her combined contributions to observational, theoretical, and laboratory astrochemistry, elucidating the life cycle of interstellar clouds and the formation of stars and planets.
2016
Ronald W.P. Drever
Kip S. Thorne
Rainer Weiss
For the direct detection of gravitational waves.
2014
Alan H. Guth
Andrei D. Linde
Alexei A. Starobinsky
For pioneering the theory of cosmic inflation.
2012
Michael Edwards Brown
David C. Jewitt
Jane X. Luu
For discovering and characterizing the Kuiper Belt and its largest members, work that led to a major advance in the understanding of the history of our planetary system.
2010
James Roger Prior Angel
Jerry E. Nelson
Raymond N. Wilson
For their contributions to the development of giant telescopes.
2008
Donald Lynden-Bell
Maarten Schmidt
For their contributions to understanding the nature of quasars.
The thrill of exoplanet characterization
As told by Sara Seager
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Decoding starlight to learn the secrets of exoplanets
As told by David Charbonneau
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The road to helioseismology
As told by Roger K. Ulrich
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My work has also been my hobby
As told by Jørgen Christensen-Dalsgaard
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Astromama with a long-term plan
As told by Conny Aerts
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Hooked on Astronomy
As told by Andrew Fabian
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